Stanley calls on Minister to address Dáil on flood crisis

The Sinn Féin Spokesperson on the Environment and Local Government Brian Stanley TD has called on Minister Phil Hogan to allow time for statements in the Dáil on the impact of the latest floods to hit the country.

Deputy Stanley has also called on the Government to immediately establish a hardship fund that will provide immediate assistance to homeowners and others suffering the consequences of the floods.

Deputy Stanley said:

“It is important that the Dáil has an opportunity this week to discuss the impact of the floods. Not only is there a pressing need for financial assistance via a hardship fund as exists in the north, but there also needs to be discussion over the response of the public authorities at power local and state level to the crisis.

“In response to the fodder crisis brought about by the severe weather last year, my party stressed the need for contingency plans to be put in place among the relevant departments, including Minister Hogan’s. That does not appear to have taken place with the consequence that people living in the areas worst affected feel that measures which might have been taken to offset the worst impact were not taken.”